INSPIRATION?

Hello all,

I have been blogging a lot about pregnancy recently and it has been educative and fun.

I have also decided to mix it up henceforth even though you like my stories and experiences. For today, just take inspiration also hidden in the beauty of the pregnancy experience... 'you are never really too weak or small to birth a wonderful thing'.

It does not matter whether it is a human or an idea, you are never really unequipped. You may be unprepared but never unequipped.

I remember before my son that I was so scared of pregnancy (not anymore, duh! Hehehe)... infact I felt sorry for all the pregnant women I met and considered myself as having a phobia for pregnancy.

I know what some of you are thinking, 'why get married?' 'Is it possible this type of fear exists?'
To answer the last question, YES! & it is pretty common, I wish more people will testify :-)

The purpose for today's post is to make you see that no matter how tough, rough, painfilled & scary that GOOD & LEGAL endeavour of yours is, take the first step & then endure the waiting, commitment & hardwork stage, success & result awaits you.

Enough said,
I love you.

INTERESTING READ: My Labour Story by Anita

As shared by our friend Anita, Enjoy! :-)

I woke up on the morning of Jan 8 2015, after a very troubled tiring sleep during which my baby kicked and turned all night! In retrospect, i believe he was adjusting into the birthing position.
So... I woke up... and had to use the bathroom But I was wet. So I thought to myself, "Who would have thought I would pee on myself at night???" I chuckled to myself as I remembered other mom stories of how they had pee on themselves. But this wasn't pee! No sire! My water had broken.

RECIPE FOR PREGNANCY

Hello,
As I earlier promised, I will share some of the foods I was able to eat during pregnancy.

Early pregnancy I fell in love with boiled white rice but it was a romance that didnt last long. Soon my love for rice was replaced by an intense dislike for it and I couldnt stand the smell of food such as rice, stew, indomie et al. It did get better at the end tho.

As I have earlier said, all pregnancies are not the same so you may totally find you do not like my food choices when pregnant. Although I am yet to find a pregnant woman who didnt like yam.

Yam was my favourite and I never tired of it. I ate it with dodo (ripe & over ripe plantain), pekere (unripe plantain), Akara (fried bean balls) and ketchup mixed with salad cream or mayo since I couldnt stand stew.

The recipe I have for you is different, you may wish to try it (pregnant or not).

AFRICAN SALAD (ABACHA)

Ingredients include:

EXPECTING: PREGNANCY CONTINUATION

Hello,
I had earlier talked about pregnancy month one to five. In the previous post, I promised to conclude... thats why I am back here :-)

Let me start on a lighter note. My husband did not strongly believe or maybe the right word is comprehend that I was really pregnant, he was expecting all those Nollywood type running outside to vomit :-) *hahaha-hehe*. I never vomitted throughout my pregnancy.

PREGNANCY: WHAT TO EXPECT MONTH 1 TO 9 (I INCLUDED MY EXPERIENCE)

Hello,

Every pregnancy is different but my experience may help you a great deal. I also have great pleasure sharing my experience with you. Feel free to contact me personally if you have questions or just need to assure yourself all is well with you and the baby. (pearlokoli@gmail.com)

I would also reply your comments and questions on this platform. Happy Reading!

Month One: You barely notice

I did not know I was pregnant but I noticed my skin became extra sensitive and my face was no longer clear (smooth). It was my graduation month and I was in the UK but I did not shop because I had no idea (maybe a tad lil feeling).

Month two: Some are still unaware and some other begin to feel unwell

I started to experience heavy eyes and feel a little unwell towards the beginning and excruciating stomach pains toward the end

Month Three: Majority already know, they get the symptoms. Boy! it is not Fun

This month was much like the second month only worse. I could not stand the smell of most foods. The stomach pain had me going for scans. I had to stop work

Some people are filled with strength and are relatively okay during their pregnancy. Just so you know, I envy them too and please do not judge me for having to quit my job (hahaha).

If you are just like me, it is okay to feel unwell and get tired easily when you are pregnant, do not mind naysayers

Month Four: Symptoms persist (A few get respite)

I decided to seriously pursue radio as I had worked as a radio presenter and disc jockey (DJ) in Ujima radio, Bristol (UK).

I first started 'guesting' Inspiration FM on the Friday Night Mix with Charles Dallas where I met wonderful people like Wanawana, Eyo Henry but this time I wanted my own gig. *smile*

I also was on Top radio platform joining Tosyn Bucknor's morning show (I know, you did not hear me almost at all *smile*). I did not have it nice here. *hehehe* I have come to conclude that it was my pregnancy and not that she was a rude choleric

Long story short, at 5 months plus pregnant, I realised I could not continue and took a long health break.

Month Five: More people get respite (but not me, phew!)

Now at home, I had gotten used to being cranky (when you are pregnant, those around you dont just get it... trust me, your partner may be empathetic but he would not still gerrit).

I suffered major dizzy & fainting spells and scares because most food smelled to me. I could only eat sharwama, yam, akara and traditional classics (those types of 'not everyday' meals) such as Okpa, African salad, nkwobi et al)

Let me stop here for today, I will continue from month six next and probably give you the recipe to these traditional classics in subsequent posts.

Always a pleasure to have you here, 

PEARL.

Short tip on getting rich: learning how to save, cheaper is not often better

Hello,

After reading through this you should see that being prudent:
1. Does not mean being a cheapskate
2. Means identifying what you can and cannot afford
3. Means matching good quality with the least possible prices and not low prices with the highest possible quality.

Let me take a minute to say how blessed I feel about the birth of my young man and promise to gush more about pregnancy et al on pearlokoli.blogspot.com

Do you think you are saving in the short term but not really seeing results?
Is your idea of a good bargain a cheap price all the time?
Read on and find out why you may be wrong.

I have learnt over the years that price MAY be a good revealer of quality. Though not always the case, most lower priced items often need replacement.
I am reminded about when I bought wears from Primark and also from Zara a few years ago.

What most people fail to consider or acknowledge is that frequently replacing an item increases the actual cost of the item and there are benefits of being associated with quality.
One of the benefits of surrounding yourself with quality is that you teach people to place the same value on you.

Have you ever found yourself profiling a person before buying them gifts? Asking yourself dustbin or Perfume, imported or locally made? What quality do I know them with? (are they associated with)

My God-brother Ikenna told me (I asked him) his father taught him that if he must buy anything, he should get quality on the day he bought a toy more expensive than its short life span, mallam alternate for my younger one.
Almost 10 years later, I still see the importance of quality.

IMPORTANCE OF QUALITY

1. If you are careful with quality it lasts very long

2. It gives you a certain kind of respect with people

3. People reinforce your value when they gift you

4. People look forward to your gifts and are proud to show them off (e.g Use your gift dishes or bins to 'serve' their guests) because if you bought it then it must be good

5. You feel good about yourself

6. It saves money and time also

A final word to those who have sworn never to patronise quality (because they see it as a waste of money) when there is a cheaper alternative:

According to my mum, why buy broken tomatoes in the market? Who are the fine, good ones reserved for?

One more thing before we go buying/saving: One good sandal is better than 10 weak ones but ensure you have PAID YOUR DEBTS and know your FINANCIAL CAPABILITY. It is however better not to purchase (in most cases) than purchase without considering durability.

Learn to pick out the items you love, then find out their prices and see what you can afford not the other way around.

See you soon
PEARL.